TOM BROWN FINE ART

Monday, August 30, 2010

A trip to wine country offered me the chance to indulge two of my passions: enjoying fine wines and painting stunning landscapes en plein air (on site, directly from nature). I also shot a number of photos to use as reference for paintings once I returned to my home studio.

Sometimes I paint things as I would LIKE to see them rather than recording the literal facts. I take what nature offers as a “suggestion” rather than something I must follow slavishly.

I thought it would be interesting to show the scene as it actually appeared, as well as how I used that to form the basis of this painting. I hope you like my interpretation.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

I know you’ve felt it; a moment of absolute inner peace and calm. When the cares of the world melted away. And your spirit felt refreshed and renewed.

That’s the feeling I wanted to paint.

The last time I was here it was so hot I could barely breathe. But today was the opposite. The air was cool, imparting a softness to everything. Colors were more gentle. Sounds were muffled. The world was at peace. I wanted to preserve that sense of serenity in this painting.

This little jewel is a bit of my soul that I wanted to share with others. I hope you like it.

For a short time this painting is available directly through my blog at a special price lower than my eBay auctions. Email me for details:tombrownstudio@cox.net

Friday, August 27, 2010

I almost named this one “RUSH HOUR” because at this time of day if you can’t paint swiftly and with conviction, it’s best to pull over and just watch the view fade away. Sunset is no time for beginning painters. The light and colors change so quickly that you either capture them fast or miss them forever.

I think I got it! This one is loaded with rich, juicy strokes of delicious oil paints that bring interesting color and texture to the painting’s surface. Have a look at the detail images and let me know what you think.

By the way, this is a scene of Laguna Beach, with the golden cliffs and palm trees looking over the stunning Pacific Ocean. Laguna Beach has been an artist’s colony since the time of the Early California Impressionists because of the unique light and color created by the land and sea.

I’m one of the very lucky few who live nearby and can witness this sort of dramatic view on a regular basis. Better yet, I get to paint it right from nature on location as it happens. Enjoy the view.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

"AFTER THE RAINS"5x7 INCH ORIGINALPLEIN AIR OIL PAINTINGBY TOM BROWNSOLDRain puddles on a muddy road, a slice of sunshine washing across the fields, and clearing skies in the distance. The air was sweet with the special scent that follows a brief rain. It made me want to grab my brushes and go for it. So I did. Hope you like it.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Yesterday I posted my painting done during the “Quick Draw” competition in the Huntington Beach Plein Air Invitational.

Today’s painting is another plein air piece that is a bit larger than I usually create on location. This painting was done during the final session of a 5-week plein air workshop I conducted just before the start of the Huntington Beach Invitational.

The location I chose was from a hilltop in Southern California. But the view brought back memories of scenery I observed and painted during past travels in Europe.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Today is the starting day of the Huntington Beach Plein Air Invitational Painting Competition. The “Quick Draw” event was held this morning, where each of the competing artists had to complete a painting on location specified by the judges, within the allotted time frame. Our blank canvases were stamped on the back in advance, to insure that the painting was done today. At the completion of this “Quick Draw” event, we each turned in our effort for judging.

This is my effort. It is an icon to those who are familiar with the area, situated across Pacific Coast Highway from Huntington Harbor. It was once a water tower that has subsequently been converted to a unique residence overlooking the ocean.

I thought it would be interesting to show photos of my painting being completed on location. Enjoy the view and let me know if this was of interest.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Art has been a lifelong addiction. As a young kid I discovered that art was a way of escaping to a happier place. Or preserving a golden moment to savor again and again.

It changed my childhood and my entire life forever, giving me a focus that remains to this day. And it continues to provide a means of capturing a cherished moment to savor at my leisure, like the remarkable colors witnessed at sunset.

We have all experienced moments like this; moments that can take your breath away. For many, these moments are soon lost with only a rosy memory that slowly fades.

I’m one of the lucky few. With my paints I can freeze a golden sunset to be cherished forever.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Newport Beach harbor is filled with “look-at-me” subjects to paint, so why choose a simple buoy to paint? Because a good subject can be almost anything if you simply leave out the dull part.

I painted this yesterday morning during a Plein Air workshop I conducted for a group of other artists. Part of the lesson was that beauty can be found in unexpected places if you simply look. Hope you like this one. I’m including a photo I shot at the time I painted it.

Friday, August 13, 2010

This is a small studio study done from a photo I shot in Spain. I was interested in the architecture and layout of the small plaza, but I took artistic liberties to see if I could create a bit more color interest. This is the result. Hope you like it.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sunset. The sky was a periwinkle blue. The clouds were like fire in the sky. It was a breathtaking moment.

Experiences like this offer a momentary escape from the hectic pace of life. It’s a perfect time to pause and drink in the moment. Breathe deeply. Savor the experience. And come away refreshed and renewed.

Monday, August 09, 2010

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. When it hands you ten miles of bad road I guess it pays to take the same approach. In this case I decided to simply pull over, take a break and find the beauty in the situation. This painting is the result.

I set up my easel right smack dab in the middle of the road for this one. No chance of being hit by a speeding car here. After this little painting break I was much more relaxed and went on my way far happier than if I had simply pushed on. I call this one “MAKING LEMONADE”. Hope you like it.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

This painting has a funny story. As I painted this harbor scene the small boat with the two men came chugging past and we called out a greeting to each other.

They jokingly asked if I was quick enough to add their boat to the painting and I replied that I needed them to make one more pass. They did!

They actually turned around and came across more slowly, giving me a second chance. That’s when I snapped the photo. Then I added them to the composition, mostly from memory. (Even I can’t paint THAT fast!) I think it added a nice touch to the painting.

When I began the painting earlier a nice glare was coming through the marine layer, creating a beautiful sheen to the harbor.

I had already captured that effect long before taking the photo, and I’m glad I did. As you can see, this glare had disappeared already by the time I shot the photo. I didn’t get a second chance to capture that effect.

Monday, August 02, 2010

As I mentioned yesterday, too much detail can ruin a painting. I feel it’s more important to capture the spirit and mood of the scene, then add only as much information as necessary.

This is another recent painting done on location while I was with a group of other artists. I am including a photo of another artist who was set up next to my easel, as he was hard at work on his own painting of this scene.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Too much detail can ruin a painting. I feel it’s more important to capture the spirit and mood of the scene, then add only as much information as necessary. This is a recent painting done on location in the great outdoors while I was with a group of other artists.

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About Me

I am an American artist and I host a TV Art Instruction show where I teach studio oil painting and plein air painting in the Impressionist style.
I also teach other artists how to paint through oil painting workshops and art instruction CDs and DVDs.
My Impressionist plein air landscapes, still life compositions, portraits and figure paintings have been represented through prominent galleries for more than 20 years.
My paintings are in corporate collections including the City of Irvine, Sears, Standard Oil, and Coca Cola. My work is often seen in leading art publications like Southwest Art, Art & Antiques, American Art Review, American Art Collector, Art Calendar and others.
I am a former president of the Orange Art Association and past member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and Southern California Plein Air Painters Association.
On my Daily Painter blog I offer affordable small original oil paintings to introduce my work to new and ongoing collectors. Much of my work these days is done on a private commission basis, and I welcome inquiries.
Thanks for looking.